Guidance for New Parents
Bringing a child into your family can raise many questions. These organizations have information including adoption, support or play groups, and education classes. Check out the information below to help guide you along the way.
Adoption and Jewish Identity Project
Dedicated to improving the lives of Jewish adoptive families by creating broader understanding of the unique religious, cultural, and identity issues they face.
jewishboston.com/resources/20998-adoption-and-jewish-identity-project
Ikkarim
Offers a guided tour of some of the best Jewish thinking on issues that impact you and your family. In a 10-week journey, together with other parents who are raising Jewish children, you’ll find real world answers to age-old questions. Ikkarim is for any parent who is interested in learning how core Jewish values can enrich our most important relationships.
cjp.org/ikkarim
The Jewish Birth Network
A developing site aimed at helping Jewish families in the Boston area and beyond achieve safe, meaningful, and empowered pregnancy and birth experiences and begin their parenting journeys with the skills, resources and confidence they need to thrive.
JewishBirthNetwork.com
Jewish Family Network
Creates opportunities for new parents, as well as parents of children under age 5, to connect with each other and the community in Metrowest through activities like playgroups, baby yoga, and new mom groups. JFN is a collaboration between JFS of Metrowest and the JCCs of Greater Boston.
jfsmw.org/J%20F%20N.htm
Jewish Family & Children's Service
An organization geared toward providing assistance for people of all faiths and races through their life changes. JF&CS offers personalized services for new mothers and young families. Adoption resources, early relationship support for new parents, and disability support programs are also offered.
jfcsboston.org
Jewish Family Service of Metrowest
This non-profit agency provides services for children and families of all faiths and backgrounds. Programs include Homecare, Jewish Family Network, Mom to Mom, and JFS Adoption Choices.
jfsmw.org
JFS Adoption Choices
A program of JFS of Metrowest, JFS Adoption Choices meets the needs of adoptive parents, birth parents, and adopted persons through a range of educational and counseling services. Helping to meet everyone’s needs, they offer pre-adoption planning, child placement services, family life education groups, post-placement supervision, and more.
adoptionchoices.info
Kveller
A one-stop shop for all things mom and beyond. Kveller explores a "Jewish Twist on Parenting" with resources to guide you through every step of the way, from pregnancy to pre-school (and even a Jewish baby name finder!).
kveller.com
Mayyim Hayyim
A resource for learning, spiritual discovery, and creativity, where women and men of all ages can celebrate milestones and where conversion to Judaism is accorded the honor and dignity it deserves.
mayyimhayyim.org
Welcome Baby!
This program delivers a free gift tote to your home filled with high-quality baby gifts and a community resource guide. The program will also help you connect to the Jewish community and to other Jewish families with babies from newborn to six months through playgroups, new mother groups, family drop-in opportunities and Jewish holiday family events. To receive your free tote and learn more, visit cjp.org/cjps-welcome-baby-program.aspx.
Additional Resources:
myjewishlearning.com/life/Life_Stages/Jewish_Parenting1.shtml
myjewishlearning.com/life/Relationships/Parents_and_Children.shtml
Photo is from Flickr under Creative Commons licenses; please click on the image for sources.
